fare thee well

i have had this sitting as a draft ready to send and now finally can from the warm land of the USA...

it is the time to say farewell to our friends and family in korea as we return to new zealand, our home where our goal is to sow into our home soil and put down roots as a family.

Mother's Day | 2014

I hope all you mums had a super special day on Sunday and were lavished with treats throughout the day! Taking a moment to soak in the blessings that you have as a mum is important to do as we navigate our way through the ups and downs of this precious position we hold. Also remembering that this day is a tough day for many, through grief and loss. You are deserving of this day too. x

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My Mother's day was a great day of special plans and mini-adventures.

My boys spoiled me with a handmade card that I had been dropping the hints about for the week leading up to the day that I had no idea about ;) I love these created collages and all the minute details Hubby adds, Isaiah enjoyed colouring the card with the highlighters and later in the day I realized his little legs too!

things I'm loving - nami Island, south korea

for our easter weekend we decided to take a day trip to a new place we had never been to, a privately owned half-moon island in the middle of the han river - naminara republic. a very quick ferry ride across the river took us to this interesting place...

we're heading home

Photo credit: Emma Penning

We could never have dreamed that God would have lead us through a season of four years in a busy, bustling peninsular in southeast Asia. He has given us the ability to endure some amazing highs and significant lows and we are thankful for it all.

It has been a bittersweet realization that our season living and teaching abroad in South Korea is now starting to wrap up and come to an end. The focus gradually shifting to finishing strong and returning to our homeland.

As I pause to acknowledge the season we are in and share it with you,  I know fully that the realization of how we have changed and what we will take away from this experience will become 'real' as we make sense of our next steps. We already recognise that we have learned lessons here in Korea we would never have learned back at home and how our little New Zealand viewpoints have been melded and stretched. We are so grateful. There is something very unique and poignant about living in an expat community; friends become family and your identity is shaped even more so by what you carry inside of you and is mixed with what you meet along the road.

We are thrilled to settle back home and see our little boy gain strong roots in his kiwi identity. Drawing closer to our extended family and friends. Initially, of course the unsettling feeling envelopes and you think, how can we do this?!; it has been one of the most overwhelming things to look ahead into this year and to be met with question marks staring back at you.

But with my Hubby's super awesomeness, he has secured a permanent position at a local area school and we start back at the end of July. For the next six months I plan to transition with Isaiah and initially pick up teaching assignments where available. I don't know where I fit yet and would like to continue to develop in the educational leadership field somewhere. That's one question mark I am accepting right now. I am learning that question marks are also possibilities.

There are still the unknowns and adjustments and 'Oh can you imagines', the thrills of forgotten comforts. We sure will bleed some as we leave this place where lifelong friendships have been forged, sisters/brothers, and made memories that will last forever.

So, very hard.

But so right. 

Thank you, Icheon!

One of my favorite festivals here in Korea is the Icheon Ceramic festival ~ held in a small town which is known to foster talent and creativity through this ancient art.

We ended up going twice this year! The return trip was to pick up a piece that will commemorate baby Hub's first birthday which I will share at a later date.

The surrounds are just beautiful at this time of year, there is freshness amongst the hills which we don't always experience in the city.

There is food to sample too, and on the second trip, I had to stop and sample a german-style sausage... Oh so tasty!

The people are very friendly and enjoy interacting, we had many people coming and talking with us while perusing the stalls. I love to see raw talent and individualism shown here, as quite often we don't see that flair in other areas of society. 

Chuseok Break 2013

This is at the picnic we had at the reservoir with Melissa. 
You were fascinated with my sunglasses 
and were very intrigued by how they worked.

Isaiah, we had a great week hanging out together and doing trips around Seoul and Suwon! You really love being outside and experiencing new things. We went to a park one day and you just loved standing on the seat looking at everything. What did you see I wonder?

The reservoir

A new found place to stroll and take in our surrounds.

Listening to the water lap, classical music playing through the speakers...

It's strange how water and the reflections created can sooth and refresh; with a warm autumn breeze blowing.

Grateful.

Back in the Land of the Morning Calm

Hi there, we have returned to our lives here in South Korea to a balmy 1degree Celsius and crisp weather with a chance of snow! A big difference to the summer we have just experienced in NZ.

Today marks the final day of my maternity leave and the transition to being a working mother. Here in Korea, we are very fortunate to have a unique opportunity at our school, where our son will be in an Early Learning center based on campus. For us this is a great opportunity to be together and ultimately be available for Isaiah whenever possible.

During our time here our jobs have been a huge percentage of our day, and for me a major focus at home as well. I am now needing to put this into perspective and develop a new strategy in how I function and commit my time. I know I am ready.

Noraebang

Last night we gathered together with friends for dinner and some fun times before I fly out to NZ in 6 sleeps! Wow, it has come up so fast...

' Karaoke is most commonly called "Noraebang" (노래방, literally, "song room") in Korea, but various Korean alternatives like Norae yeonseupjang (노래연습장), or Norae yeonseupshil (노래연습실) are also sometimes used. Noraebang is even conducted in transport vehicles such as tourist buses. Noraebang is the equivalent to the Karaoke-Box in Japan, whereas singing before an audience of a karaoke bar is called Karaoke (카라오케) in Korea. '

Noraebang is something that lets of steam and is fun to do with a large group, especially the friends we went with last night... There was everything thrown in the mix from 'Puff the Magic Dragon' to Bon Jovi's 'Dead or a Alive'... Hubby even chose the 'Wiggle and Giggle' song. 

Loving it Kim!

In Noraebang you need space to really shake your tail feather...

Sometimes your face says it all...

Shot of the night I believe, backing dancers included!

A bit of slow dancing...

Mike did not feature in the singing this night but got acquainted with the song books and scrutinizing the best choice of songs for the amount of time we had...

And girls just want to have funnn...

 

Baby Hub was kicking around and loved it too!

It was so awesome to have a good laugh with some good music... These photos are priceless!

Mum's visit

Mum has been staying for the last 10 days. It has been amazing to have her here and to introduce her to life in South Korea. She left this morning, heading for a two day stopover before returning home to NZ.

She was able to experience so much since on her visit here. A special memory was for her to be here for my combined baby shower that was put on by friends and colleagues from GSIS. It was extra special to share this with her.

Here are a few highlights of mum's trip to South Korea:

 

Visiting Changdeokgung Palace with Judy.

Celebrating being together at Outback with Jim and Carol Millar

Outside our church, Jubilee. 

 

Climbing Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.

Taking in the view at the top of our walk.

Visiting the Korean Folk Village and stepping back in time. 

Enjoying traditional Korean food, here we had Bibimbap (vegetables and rice served in a hotpot that cooks the food) and Bindaetteok (Mung bean pancake). Delicious!

Enjoying the beautiful weather at the village. 

Taking the journey up to Namsan Seoul Tower and enjoying the clear views and all the 'locked in love' that couples put around the tower. 

Overlooking the mountain ranges together.

Having a crazy adventure in Myeongdong - the super busy shopping centre of Seoul. Having fun at the show 'Nanta' and then people watching everywhere!

Trying some street food a long the way home - here is battered potato crisps!

Hubby and I loved having you come to stay mum, see you in NZ next and the arrival of baby Hub. 

xx

Running for Peace

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share something Hubby did last Sunday... He ran a 10km run for the DMZ Peace run.

An awesome event that supports peace between North and South Korea. We even got a 3kg bag of rice from the DMZ area with being enrolled for the event! I think that will last a while!

Hubby went with a big group of friends and colleagues from our school - leaving at 3:45am to catch the bus for a 2+ hour ride to the northern area it was being held... and in the end coming back at 5:30pm - a massive day! But one filled with great achievements and bit of fun thrown in when a group went to the jimjilbang (gender segregated hot jacuzzi and sauna places here in Korea) to relax the muscles while they waited for the longer races to finish.

I am so proud of him for doing this and he getting a time of 58mins for his first 10km run, I thought he did an awesome job.

He said he wants to do another one and better his time now! Go MP!

Two Firsts

Visiting an local orphanage 15 minutes down the road from where we live.

I accompanied a 5th Grade group that I am mentoring for their final assignment of elementary school.

Their hearts are so big and they connected with the kids there. Bringing donations from students in our school. A special opportunity to witness.  

We will be returning to these kiddies to regularly support and teach English. 

Another first, two colleagues; our friends from school, got married. 

It was a very interesting experience.

We are so happy for Mr. Hong and Risa! Congratulations!

Life is busy. And it is now the countdown to our missions trip to Nepal this Friday. I am so excited and nervous too!

Falling for Fall

Crunchy leaves

A Cool breeze

Scarves

Rusty shades

Boots

Endless blue skies

I love Autumn here 

A bit of down under flavour

It felt like we were in a kiwi pub watching the game today. 

Many Kiwis gathered and speckles of Canada supporters mingling together. 

The crowd celebrated together for Canada while I missed the actual play. Woops.

Fush n Chups for lunch. 

It was great to be celebrating the win and hang out with friends on a quiet Sunday in Itaewon.

Bring on the final I say (with a smirk)!!

A new experience

I visited a special friend's family today. With colleagues, I ventured to Seoul and celebrated a first birthday. 

Alas, I didn't take any photos for you guys to share in this day. Sorry. A big blog no-no.

It really was special. In South Korea, a first birthday is a very big deal and it was fantastic to be a part of one today. 

Happy birthday Elim! She was the heart of the party and then promptly conked out just as we were leaving!

Her father sang her a beautiful a cappella song, hymns were sang and blessings were shared. Food was enjoyed with lots of laughs together.

I feel very privileged right now. 

great expectations

yesterday was a fantastic day!

in the afternoon we hosted a joint baby shower for friends amy and anna. 

we decorated a forecourt of an apartment's outside area, with colour and fanfare. 

jill made exquisite diaper cakes.

i took a risk with a punch recipe and it paid off!

creative food was shared and admired.

it was great connecting...

and getting hugs from the little guests.

and of course no shower would be complete with out a bit of baby pictionary - thanks michelle!

we celebrate with amy and anna on the blessing that the new son (amy) and daughter (anna) will be, with great expectations!

all the best!